JP2020166450A - Reader, shopping support system, and reading method - Google Patents

Abstract

To simplify the reading work of article information.SOLUTION: A reader 1 includes a shield 2, a housing body 3, and an antenna. The shield 2 has an opening 11 and has an inner surface formed in a shape along a spheroid by a material that shields radio waves. The housing body 3 is at least partly housed inside the shield 2 and houses at least one article A1 with an electronic tag A11 through the opening 11. The antenna is provided inside the shield 2 and outputs radio waves for reading the article information from the electronic tag A11 by wireless communication with the electronic tag A11 of the article A1 housed in the housing body 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present disclosure generally relates to a reader, a shopping support system, and a reading method. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a reading device, a shopping support system, and a reading method for reading article information from an article tagged with an electronic tag.

In Patent Document 1, at least in a POS (Point Of Sales) device for performing settlement (settlement) processing of a product that a customer intends to purchase, an RF (Radio Frequency) tag (electronic tag) reading device can be used. Are listed. The electronic tag is attached to the product and stores the price information or identification information of the product to which the electronic tag is attached.

In Patent Document 1, the reading device reads information from an electronic tag in a state where a product is stored in a box-shaped storage chamber composed of six surfaces of a housing. The housing is formed with an opening leading to the containment chamber. The opening is opened and closed by the lid. That is, with the lid open, the customer can put the product into the containment chamber through the opening. The housing and lid are made of a material that reflects radio waves or a material that absorbs radio waves so that the reader does not read information from the electronic tags outside the containment chamber.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-162177

In the configuration described in Patent Document 1, the product (article) is put into the storage chamber with the lid open, and the information is read by the reading device with the lid closed. Therefore, the customer has to perform the work of opening and closing the lid.

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a reading device, a shopping support system, and a reading method capable of simplifying the reading work of article information.

The reading device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a shield, an accommodating body, and an antenna. The shield has an opening, and its inner surface is formed in a shape along a spheroid by a material that shields radio waves. The containment body accommodates at least one article that is at least partially housed inside the shield and is electronically tagged through the opening. The antenna is provided inside the shield and outputs radio waves for reading article information from the electronic tag by wireless communication with the electronic tag of the article housed in the housing.

The shopping support system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes the above-mentioned reading device and a payment system. The payment system performs payment processing for the article using the article information read by the reader.

The reading method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a reading method using a shield and an accommodating body. The shield has an opening, and its inner surface is formed in a shape along a spheroid by a material that shields radio waves. The containment body accommodates at least one article that is at least partially housed inside the shield and is electronically tagged through the opening. The reading method includes a storage step and a reading step. The accommodating step is a step of accommodating the article in the accommodating body. The reading step is a step of reading article information from the electronic tag by wireless communication with the electronic tag of the article housed in the container.

The reading device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a shield, an accommodating body, and an antenna. The shield has an opening, and the inner surface is formed of a material that shields radio waves. The containment body accommodates at least one article that is at least partially housed inside the shield and is electronically tagged through the opening. The antenna is provided inside the shield and outputs radio waves for reading article information from the electronic tag by wireless communication with the electronic tag of the article housed in the housing. The shield has a first region including the opening and a second region in which the article housed in the container can exist. The intensity of the radio wave output from the antenna in the first region is weaker than the intensity of the radio wave output from the antenna in the second region.

The present disclosure has an advantage that it is possible to simplify the work of reading article information.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a reading device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a main part of the reading device of the same. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a shopping support system provided with the same reading device. FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing an example of the distribution of radio waves inside the shield in the same reading device. FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing an example of a region in which radio waves may exist inside the shield in the same reading device. FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing an example of the distribution of radio waves with respect to the electronic tag in the same reading device. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the reading device of the same. FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a main part of the reading device according to the first modification of the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing an example of a region in which radio waves may exist inside the shield in the same reading device. FIG. 10 is a schematic top view showing a main part of the same reading device. FIG. 11 is a schematic top view showing a main part of the reading device according to the second modification of the embodiment of the present disclosure.

(1) Outline As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the reading device 1 according to the present embodiment is a device used for acquiring article information from at least one article A1. The reading device 1 forms a reading space 10 and indirectly acquires article information from the article A1 arranged in the reading space 10. The indirect acquisition of the article information is realized by the reading device 1 reading the article information from the electronic tag A11 attached to the article A1. At this time, the reading device 1 reads the article information from the electronic tag A11 in a non-contact manner by performing wireless communication with the electronic tag A11 using radio waves as a communication medium.

The "article information" referred to in the present disclosure is information for identifying the article A1, and is, for example, a product identification code such as a JAN (Japanese Article Number) code used in Japan. In addition to the JAN code, this type of product identification code includes the EPC (Electronic Product Code), the EAN (European Article Number) code used in Europe, and the UPC (Universal Product Code) used in the United States and other countries. And so on. Further, the article information is not limited to the information for identifying the type (type) of the article A1, and may include information such as serial information for individually identifying the article A1 of the same type. As a result, even when there are a plurality of articles A1 of the same type, each of the plurality of articles A1 of the same type can be specified by the article information.

The reading device 1 includes a shield 2, an accommodating body 3, and an antenna 6. In FIG. 1, the antenna 6 is not shown.

The shield 2 has an opening 11, and the inner surface 20 is formed in a shape along a spheroid by a material that shields radio waves. That is, the inner surface of the shield 2 may have a shape that follows the spheroid, and the shield 2 itself does not have to be a spheroid. In the present embodiment, the inner surface 20 of the shield 2 is provided mainly for the purpose of blocking radio waves from the inside to the outside of the reader 1. Therefore, the inner surface 20 of the shield 2 may be in a mode that can achieve the purpose of shielding the radio waves by reflecting the radio waves or absorbing the radio waves. The inner surface 20 of the shield 2 may not be able to completely block radio waves, and at least the radio waves going from the inside to the outside of the reader 1 as compared with the case where the reader 1 does not have the shield 2. It suffices as long as it can block.

The containment body 3 houses at least one article A1 that is at least partially housed inside the shield 2 and has the electronic tag A11 attached through the opening 11. That is, the customer C1 can accommodate the article A1 in the housing 3 inside the shielding body 2 by throwing the article A1 into the shielding body 2 through the opening 11.

The antenna 6 is provided inside the shield 2 and outputs radio waves for reading article information from the electronic tag A11 by wireless communication with the electronic tag A11 of the article A1 housed in the housing 3. In other words, the antenna 6 outputs radio waves toward the reading space 10 formed in the reading device 1. In the present embodiment, the reading space 10 is a space including at least a part of the bottom wall 31 of the housing 3.

In the present embodiment, the reachable range of the radio wave output from the antenna 6 is limited to some extent by the inner surface 20 of the shield 2. Specifically, in the present embodiment, since the inner surface 20 of the shield 2 has a shape along the spheroid, the radio waves output from the antenna 6 are less likely to leak to the outside through the opening 11. As a result, in the reading device 1, in a state where the article A1 is accommodated in the accommodating body 3, for example, the inside of the reading device 1 (reading space) such as the article A1 (electronic tag A11) existing around the reading device 1. It is possible to reduce the erroneous acquisition of the article information of the article A1 which is not in 10).

That is, in the present embodiment, the article information can be read while the article A1 to which the electronic tag A11 is attached is accommodated in the accommodating body 3 and the opening 11 is open to the external space. It is possible. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when reading the article information, it is possible to omit operations such as opening and closing the lid, and it is possible to simplify the operation of reading the article information. There is.

(2) Details Hereinafter, the reading device 1 according to the present embodiment and the shopping support system 100 including the reading device 1 will be described in detail.

(2.1) Shopping Support System First, the overall configuration of the shopping support system 100 will be described. In the present embodiment, the shopping support system 100 includes a reading device 1 and a payment system 4, as shown in FIG. The reading device 1 forms the reading space 10 as described above. The payment system 4 performs payment processing for the article A1 using the article information acquired by the reader 1.

The shopping support system 100 is a system that is introduced into retail stores such as convenience stores, supermarkets, department stores, drug stores, home appliance mass retailers, and home centers to support the purchase of products by customer C1 (that is, "shopping"). is there. The term "purchase" as used in the present disclosure means the buyer (customer) in the act (buying and selling) of transferring the ownership of the goods A1 from the seller (store) to the buyer (customer) and paying the consideration (price) for this to the seller. It means the act of the side. Therefore, when the reading device 1 is used in the shopping support system 100 introduced in the store, the article A1 for which the article information is acquired by using the reading device 1 is a "commodity" sold in the store and is an article. The information is "product information". In the present embodiment, a convenience store will be described as an example of a store into which the shopping support system 100 is introduced.

In this type of store, a plurality of articles A1 are sold with a plurality of articles A1 displayed in the store. Therefore, the customer C1 purchases the desired article A1 by picking up the desired article A1 from the plurality of articles A1 displayed in the store and making a payment (settlement) for the picked up article A1. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that at least one manned store has a clerk in the store. However, not limited to this example, the shopping support system 100 can be adopted even in a situation such as an unmanned store where there is no clerk in the store.

When the reading device 1 is used in the shopping support system 100, the article information acquired by the reading device 1 is used for the payment processing in the payment system 4. That is, the payment system 4 performs payment processing using the article information for the article A1 for which the article information has been acquired by the reading device 1. Therefore, according to the shopping support system 100, the reading device 1 installed in the store reads the article information, so that the settlement process of the article A1 becomes possible.

The reading device 1 directly or indirectly acquires the article information from the article A1 in the reading space 10. Therefore, the customer C1 picks up the article A1 to be purchased from the plurality of articles A1 displayed in the store in the store and arranges the article A1 in the reading space 10 to acquire the article information in the reading device 1. You can do it. In the present embodiment, the customer C1 causes the reading device 1 to acquire the article information by arranging the article A1 to be purchased in the housing 3 (reading space 10) through the opening 11. Then, when the payment process in the payment system 4 is completed using the goods information acquired by the reader 1, the ownership is transferred from the seller (store) to the buyer (customer), and the customer C1 purchases the product. To establish. The customer C1 brings back the purchased article A1, that is, the article A1 for which the settlement process has been completed.

The payment system 4 is configured to be able to communicate with the reader 1. As a communication method between the payment system 4 and the reading device 1, an appropriate communication method of wireless communication or wired communication is adopted. Further, the payment system 4 is configured to be able to communicate directly with, for example, a store terminal composed of a POS (Point Of Sales) terminal, or indirectly via a repeater or the like. In the present embodiment, the payment system 4 is housed in the same housing (that is, the shield 2) as the reader 1. That is, the reading device 1 and the payment system 4 are provided in one housing.

By using the user interface 53 of the reading device 1 described later, the payment system 4 can present various information to the customer C1 by display or voice, and can accept the operation (including voice input) of the customer C1. it can. However, the presentation of information by the payment system 4 may be realized by at least one of display and voice, may be realized by either display and voice, or is realized by a combination of display and voice. You may.

As an example, the payment system 4 can present a message such as "Welcome" or "Thank you" to the customer C1 when the customer is detected and the payment process is completed. As a result, it is possible to give the customer C1 a feeling of familiarity that is close to that of a store clerk serving customers. Further, the customer C1 confirms, for example, a list of goods A1 to be purchased displayed on the user interface 53, a settlement amount (payment amount), and the like, and after the confirmation, operates the user interface 53 to indicate the intention of consent. As a result, the payment process in the payment system 4 is performed. The payment process may be realized, for example, by short-range wireless communication between a mobile information terminal (smartphone, wearable terminal, etc.), an IC (Integrated Circuit) card, or the like and the payment system 4. In this case, the customer C1 causes the payment system 4 to perform the payment process by bringing the mobile information terminal, the IC card, or the like closer to a predetermined location (for example, near the user interface 53). Here, the payment system 4 may have a printer, and in that case, when the payment process is completed, the printer can issue (print) a receipt (receipt) or the like. However, accepting the operation of customer C1 and issuing a receipt in the payment processing are not essential configurations in the shopping support system 100.

In addition, a list of goods A1 to be purchased and information such as payment amount (hereinafter referred to as "purchase information") can be obtained from the payment system 4 to a mobile information terminal (smartphone or tablet terminal, etc.) owned by customer C1 or a store. It may be transmitted to a terminal or the like. As a result, the purchase information can be viewed or the receipt can be issued on the mobile information terminal owned by the customer C1 or the information terminal different from the payment system 4. Further, by transmitting the purchase information from the store terminal or the like to the server, the customer C1 can browse the purchase information on the mobile information terminal owned by the customer C1 or send the receipt to the mobile information terminal even after the store is closed. It will be possible to issue it.

In the present embodiment, the payment system 4 is a computer system mainly composed of one or more processors and memories as hardware. In this computer system, the function of the payment system 4 is realized by executing the program recorded in the memory by one or more processors. The program may be pre-recorded in the memory of the computer system, may be provided through a telecommunications line, or may be recorded and provided on a non-temporary recording medium such as an optical disk or hard disk drive readable by the computer system. May be good.

(2.2) Reading device Next, the overall configuration of the reading device 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the reading device 1 is placed on a support base 7 having a length in the vertical direction (vertical direction) as an example. The reading device 1 is a stationary facility installed at a predetermined position in the store including the support base 7.

The support base 7 is made of resin as an example, and has a first support plate 71 and a second support plate 72. The first support plate 71 and the second support plate 72 are both rectangular plates, and are supported by four columns 73 of the support base 7 at intervals in the vertical direction (vertical direction). The first support plate 71 and the second support plate 72 are provided with circular first holes 711 and second holes 712 that penetrate in the thickness direction (vertical direction), respectively. In the reading device 1, the shield 2 forming the outer shell thereof is passed through the first hole 711 and the second hole 712, and is caught on the peripheral edge of the first hole 711 and the peripheral edge of the second hole 712, so that the opening 11 is moved upward. It is supported by the support base 7 in the positioned state.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the reading device 1 includes a shield 2, an accommodating body 3, and one antenna 6.

As an example, the shield 2 is formed of a resin material except for the inner wall (inner surface) 20, and has a spheroidal shape having an opening 11 at the upper end. Specifically, the shield 2 has a shape in which an ellipse having two focal points F1 and F2 is rotated 360 degrees about a straight line (that is, a long axis) connecting the two focal points F1 and F2. , A part of the upper end is cut by a horizontal plane. The portion cut by the horizontal plane corresponds to the opening 11. Therefore, in the present embodiment, both the outer wall (outer surface) and the inner wall (inner surface) 20 of the shield 2 have a shape along the spheroid. Then, in the present embodiment, at least a part of the opening 11 (in the present embodiment, the whole) is provided outside the two focal points F1 and F2 of the shield 2 in the long axis direction of the shield 2. There is.

The inner surface 20 of the shield 2 is formed of a material having a radio wave shielding property, that is, a property of blocking radio waves. In the present embodiment, the inner surface 20 of the shield 2 is formed of a metal material, that is, a material that reflects radio waves. In other words, in the present embodiment, the inner surface 20 of the shield 2 is configured to reflect the radio waves output from the antenna 6. Here, the radio wave output from the antenna 6 is repeatedly reflected every time it reaches the inner surface 20 of the shield 2 unless it is attenuated. That is, the inner surface 20 of the shield 2 is configured to multiplely reflect the radio waves output from the antenna 6.

The housing 3 is made of a resin material and has a box shape with an open upper surface. The housing body 3 has a bottom wall 31 and a peripheral wall 32. The bottom wall 31 constitutes the bottom of the housing 3. One or more articles A1 thrown in through the opening 11 are placed on the bottom wall 31. The peripheral wall 32 extends upward from the peripheral edge of the bottom wall 31 and surrounds the bottom wall 31. The accommodating body 3 is fixed to the shield 2 inside the shield 2 by an appropriate means. In the present embodiment, the housing body 3 is fixed to the shielding body 2 so that the bottom wall 31 is located at the center of the shielding body 2. In other words, the housing 3 is housed inside the shield 2 so that at least a part thereof is located inside the two focal points F1 and F2 of the shield 2. Therefore, one or more articles A1 housed in the container 3 are located in the region between the two focal points F1 and F2. Then, in the present embodiment, the space inside the housing 3 corresponds to the reading space 10. That is, one or more articles A1 housed in the housing body 3 are located in the reading space 10.

The antenna 6 transmits and receives radio waves serving as a communication medium to and from the electronic tag A11 located in the reading space 10, and performs wireless communication. That is, in the present embodiment, the antenna 6 is arranged so that radio waves can be transmitted and received from the periphery of the reading space 10 with respect to the reading space 10. The antenna 6 is composed of, for example, a patch antenna, a monopole antenna, a dipole antenna, an inverted F-shaped antenna, a slot antenna, or the like. In the present embodiment, the antenna 6 is preferably composed of a dipole antenna.

In the present embodiment, the antenna 6 has directivity having a peak of the intensity of the output radio wave in the specific direction D1. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the antenna 6 has a directivity in which the intensity of the output radio wave is the strongest in the direction (specific direction D1) passing through the center of the antenna 6 and orthogonal to the wave transmitting surface of the antenna 6. ing. In FIG. 2, “D2” represents the beam width (half width) of the antenna 6.

The antenna 6 is arranged inside the shield 2 and outside the housing 3. More specifically, the antenna 6 is provided at a position where radio waves are output in a region between two straight lines E1 and E2 connecting the center of the antenna 6 and the two focal points F1 and F2, respectively. In other words, the antenna 6 is provided at a position where radio waves are output inside the two focal points F1 and F2 of the shield 2. In other words, the antenna 6 is provided so that the opening 11 is not located in the specific direction D1. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the radio wave output from the antenna 6 is mainly output to the area inside the two focal points F1 and F2, that is, a certain space including the reading space 10, and is not output toward the opening 11. .. Although radio waves can reach the regions outside the two focal points F1 and F2, the strength of the radio waves in these regions is not sufficient for wireless communication with the electronic tag A11.

Here, an example of the distribution of the radio waves output from the antenna 6 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 4, in order to make it easier to explain the distribution of radio waves, an output point 60 for outputting radio waves is shown instead of the antenna 6. Then, in FIG. 4, the radio wave output from the output point 60 is virtually represented by a linear locus. Further, in FIG. 4, only the shield 2 is shown, and the other configurations (accommodation 3, antenna 6, and article A1) are not shown.

The radio wave output from the output point 60 (antenna 6) is distributed inside the shield 2 as shown in FIG. 4 by repeating reflection each time it reaches the inner surface 20 of the shield 2. That is, the radio waves output from the output point 60 are the first rotating paraboloid G1 having the first focal point F1 of the two focal points F1 as the focal point, and the second focal point F2 of the two focal points F1 and F2. It is mainly distributed in the region surrounded by the second rotating paraboloid G2 having the focal point and the inner surface 20 of the shield 2. Therefore, the radio wave output from the output point 60 is unlikely to be output to a region outside the first rotating paraboloid G1 and a region outside the second rotating paraboloid G2.

As described above, in the present embodiment, since the inner surface 20 of the shield 2 is formed in a shape along the spheroid, the range in which the radio waves output from the antenna 6 are distributed is set inside the shield 2. It is possible to limit. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the shield 2 has a first region B1 and a second region B2. The first region B1 is a region outside the first rotating paraboloid G1 and includes an opening 11. The second region B2 is a region surrounded by the first rotating paraboloid surface G1, the second rotating paraboloid surface G2, and the inner surface 20 of the shield 2. Then, in the present embodiment, the bottom wall 31 of the housing 3 is included in the second region B2. That is, the article A1 housed in the housing body 3 may exist in the second region B2.

Then, as already described, the radio waves output from the output point 60 (antenna 6) are mainly distributed in the second region B2. That is, the intensity of the radio wave output from the antenna 6 in the first region B1 is weaker than the intensity of the radio wave output from the antenna 6 in the second region B2. Therefore, the antenna 6 can perform wireless communication with the electronic tag A11 of the article A1 in the second region B2. Therefore, the reading device 1 can read the article information from the electronic tag A11 of the article A1 in the second region B2 (that is, the reading space 10). On the other hand, the antenna 6 performs wireless communication with the electronic tag A11 of the article A1 in the space further outside the first region B1 or the first region B1 (for example, the space outside the reading device 1). Is difficult. Therefore, the reading device 1 can reduce erroneous acquisition of article information of the article A1 outside the reading device 1.

Then, in the present embodiment, the article information can be read while the article A1 to which the electronic tag A11 is attached is accommodated in the accommodating body 3 and the opening 11 is open to the external space. It is possible. That is, in the present embodiment, even if the opening 11 is not closed by the lid, the radio waves output from the antenna 6 are mainly distributed in the second region B2, so that the radio waves output from the opening 11 outside the first region B1. It is hard to leak to. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when reading the article information, it is possible to omit operations such as opening and closing the lid, and it is possible to simplify the operation of reading the article information. There is.

Here, the reading device 1 may have the following configuration. That is, in the reading device 1, the shielding body 2 has an opening 11, and the inner surface 20 is formed of a material that shields radio waves. The shield 2 has a first region B1 including an opening 11 and a second region B2 in which the article A1 housed in the housing 3 can exist. The intensity of the radio wave output from the antenna 6 in the first region B1 is weaker than the intensity of the radio wave output from the antenna 6 in the second region B2. As described above, the shield 2 may have a structure having a first region B1 and a second region B2. In the present embodiment, the inner surface 20 of the shield 2 has a shape along a spheroid.

Further, in the present embodiment, since the inner surface 20 of the shield 2 is configured to reflect radio waves multiple times, the radio waves output from the antenna 6 are reflected each time they reach the inner surface 20 of the shield 2. repeat. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, radio waves can easily reach the electronic tag A11 existing inside the shield 2 from various angles. In FIG. 6, as in FIG. 4, in order to make it easier to explain the distribution of radio waves, an output point 60 for outputting radio waves is shown instead of the antenna 6. Then, in FIG. 6, the radio wave output from the output point 60 is virtually represented by a linear locus. Further, in FIG. 6, only the shield 2 and the electronic tag A11 are shown, and the other configurations (accommodation body 3, antenna 6, and article A1) are not shown.

Then, the radio waves can easily reach the electronic tag A11 from various angles, and as a result, the reading device 1 can easily read the article information from the electronic tag A11. For example, the electronic tag A11 has a characteristic that it can be activated when it receives a radio wave arriving from the width direction of the electronic tag A11, but cannot be activated even if it receives a radio wave arriving from the length direction of the electronic tag A11. Suppose. In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, the radio wave directly from the output point 60 (antenna 6) to the electronic tag A11 is along the length direction of the electronic tag A11, so that even if this radio wave is received, the electronic tag A11 does not start. On the other hand, since the radio wave reflected by the inner surface 20 of the shield 2 and directed to the electronic tag A11 is along the width direction of the electronic tag A11, the electronic tag A11 can be activated by receiving this radio wave. .. That is, since radio waves can easily reach the electronic tag A11 from various angles, the electronic tag A11 can easily be activated by receiving the radio waves, and as a result, the reading device 1 can easily read the article information from the electronic tag A11. ..

As shown in FIG. 3, the reading device 1 further includes a reading unit 50, a control unit 51, a detection unit 52, and a user interface 53.

The reading unit 50 reads the article information of the article A1 in the reading space 10. In the present embodiment, the reading unit 50 reads the article information from the electronic tag A11 attached to the article A1 by wireless communication. That is, the reading unit 50 acquires the article information stored in the electronic tag A11 by performing wireless communication with the electronic tag A11 attached to the article A1 using radio waves as a medium.

The electronic tag A11 is, for example, a passive RF tag and has at least a memory for storing article information. Here, a plurality of electronic tags A11 are associated with the plurality of articles A1 on a one-to-one basis. Article information about the corresponding article A1 is stored in the electronic tag A11, and the electronic tag A11 is attached to the corresponding article A1.

The electronic tag A11 may be attached to the article A1 in a state where it can be handled integrally with the article A1, and there are various specific modes in which the electronic tag A11 is attached to the article A1. In the present embodiment, as an example, the electronic tag A11 has a sticker shape and is attached to the article A1. In addition, the electronic tag A11 may be connected to the article A1 with a string or the like, may be integrated with the packing material of the article A1, may be embedded in the article A1, or may be embedded in the article A1. It may be incorporated in. Further, for example, by using a technique such as a coating type semiconductor, the electronic tag A11 may be directly formed by printing on the surface of the article A1 itself or the packing material of the article A1.

The reading unit 50 is built in the vicinity of the reading space 10 in the shield 2. The reading unit 50 is electrically connected to the antenna 6 and is a reader that constitutes an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) system. The reading unit 50 basically transmits and receives radio waves through the antenna 6 to wirelessly communicate with the electronic tag A11 of the article A1 arranged in the reading space 10.

The reading unit 50 transmits a radio wave from the antenna 6 to the electronic tag A11, and receives the article information from the electronic tag A11 activated by the radio wave at the antenna 6. When the reading unit 50 receives the article information from the electronic tag A11, the reading unit 50 outputs the received article information to the control unit 51.

In the present embodiment, the reading unit 50 reads the article information from the electronic tag A11 attached to the article A1 while the article A1 is accommodated in the accommodating body 3. Therefore, the customer C1 picks up the article A1 in the store, and then places the article A1 in a predetermined area on the reading unit 50 (here, the bottom wall 31 of the housing 3), so that the reading unit 50 can receive the article information. It can be read.

The article A1 may be housed in the container 3 in a state of being housed (bagged) in the container. In this case, the customer C1 may first store the article A1 in the container for the article A1 picked up in the store. In this case, the customer C1 does not need to pack the goods after reading the goods information. For example, the goods A1 contained in the container can be taken back together with the container as it is, and the shopping support system 100 makes a purchase. It can be done efficiently.

The "container" referred to in the present disclosure is a container used for accommodating the article A1, and may be a container having a size for the article A1 and having an opening for taking in and out the article A1, for example. Bags, bags, baskets, boxes, etc. Here, the material of the bag, bag, basket, box or the like is not particularly limited, and for example, in the case of a bag, a "plastic bag" made of polyethylene or polypropylene, a "paper bag" made of paper, or the like is included.

Further, when a plurality of articles A1 are housed in the container, the reading unit 50 collectively reads the article information of the plurality of articles A1 from the plurality of electronic tags A11 attached to the plurality of articles A1. Is possible. Here, the reading unit 50 may read a plurality of article information at once from the plurality of electronic tags A11, or may read the article information one by one.

In short, in the reading device 1, the reading unit 50 reads the article information of the plurality of articles A1 in a state where the container containing the plurality of articles A1 is arranged in the reading space 10. As a result, once the customer C1 stores the plurality of articles A1 in the container, the customer C1 does not disassemble the plurality of articles A1 until the settlement process is completed and the plurality of articles A1 are brought back. Can be handled.

The control unit 51 mainly includes a microcontroller having one or more processors and one or more memories. That is, the function of the control unit 51 is realized by the processor of the microcontroller executing the program recorded in the memory of the microcontroller. The program may be pre-recorded in a memory, provided through a telecommunication line such as the Internet, or may be recorded and provided on a non-temporary recording medium such as a memory card.

The control unit 51 is connected to the reading unit 50, the detection unit 52, the user interface 53, and the payment system 4. The control unit 51 issues an instruction to start and end wireless communication with the electronic tag A11 at least in the reading unit 50. Specifically, when the control unit 51 starts wireless communication between the reading unit 50 and the electronic tag A11, the control unit 51 controls the reading unit 50 so that the reading unit 50 starts outputting radio waves for wireless communication. .. When the wireless communication between the reading unit 50 and the electronic tag A11 is terminated, the control unit 51 controls the reading unit 50 so as to stop the output of the radio wave for wireless communication from the reading unit 50.

The detection unit 52 includes a closing detection unit 521 and a completion detection unit 522. The charging detection unit 521 detects the occurrence of an event related to the operation of placing the article A1 in the reading space 10. When an event related to the operation of placing the article A1 in the reading space 10 occurs, the throw-in detection unit 521 detects that event and outputs a trigger signal. The "event" related to the operation of placing the article A1 in the reading space 10 in the present disclosure means, for example, that the article A1 or a human hand or the like passes through the opening 11, or a person stands in front of the reading device 1. (Approaching) etc. As an example, the closing detection unit 521 is realized by a non-contact type objective sensor such as a light curtain or an area sensor that detects that a moving body passes through the opening 11. In short, the loading detection unit 521 is related to the operation of loading the article A1 into the reading space 10, that is, placing the article A1 in the reading space 10 by passing the article A1 or a moving body such as a human hand through the opening 11. Detects that an event has occurred.

When the completion detection unit 522 detects that the article A1 has been accommodated in the reading space 10, it outputs a completion signal. “Completion” of accommodating the article A1 in the reading space 10 in the present disclosure means, for example, that the article A1 reaches the bottom wall 31 of the accommodating body 3 after the article A1 or a human hand passes through the opening 11. That, or the predetermined time has passed. As an example, the completion detection unit 522 is realized by a non-contact objective sensor such as a light curtain or an area sensor that detects that the article A1 reaches the bottom wall 31 of the housing body 3. In short, the completion detection unit 522 detects that the article A1 has been accommodated in the reading space 10 by passing the article A1 in front of (above) the bottom wall 31.

In the present embodiment, the input detection unit 521 and the completion detection unit 522 are realized by an optical objective sensor that detects that the article A1 or a human hand passes in front of the opening 11 and the bottom wall 31, respectively. Will be done.

In the present embodiment, the control unit 51 causes the reading unit 50 to start reading the article information according to the detection result of the detection unit 52. Here, the control unit 51 causes the reading unit 50 to start reading the article information when an event related to the operation of placing the article A1 in the reading space 10 occurs. That is, when the control unit 51 receives the trigger signal from the input detection unit 521, the control unit 51 causes the reading unit 50 to start reading the article information. As a result, the reading unit 50 starts reading the article information triggered by the occurrence of an event related to the operation of placing the article A1 in the reading space 10. That is, the reading unit 50 does not always read the article information, but when an event related to the operation of placing the article A1 in the reading space 10 occurs, such as the article A1 passing through the opening 11, the reading unit 50 reads. Reading of article information by 50 starts. Further, the reading unit 50 may start reading the article information based on the trigger signal, and is not limited to the configuration in which the reading of the article information is started immediately after receiving the trigger signal, and is predetermined from the time when the trigger signal is received. The reading of the article information may be started when the waiting time of is elapsed.

In other words, the antenna 6 outputs radio waves at least from the time when the article A1 is inserted into the opening 11. Therefore, in the present embodiment, there is an advantage that the article information can be easily read from the electronic tag A11 as compared with the case where the article A1 is arranged with respect to the housing 3 and then the radio wave is output. That is, inside the shield 2, a standing wave due to the radio wave output from the antenna 6 can be generated. When the electronic tag A11 of the article A1 is located in the region corresponding to the node of the standing wave, the strength of the radio wave is weakened in this region, so that it becomes difficult for the reading device 1 to read the article information from the electronic tag A11. .. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as described above, the reading is not started after the article A1 is placed on the bottom wall 31 of the housing body 3, but the reading is started when the article A1 is put into the opening 11. To do. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the article A1 easily passes through a region other than the node of the standing wave before the article A1 reaches the bottom wall 31 of the accommodating body 3 from the opening 11. That is, since the article A1 easily passes through the region where the radio wave intensity is strong, the reading device 1 can easily read the article information from the electronic tag A11.

Further, when the control unit 51 receives the completion signal from the completion detection unit 522, the control unit 51 ends the reading unit 50 from reading the article information. That is, when the completion detection unit 522 detects that the arrangement of the shopping cart 1 in the reading space 10 is completed, the reading unit 50 finishes reading the article information based on the completion signal. Here, when the reading unit 50 receives the completion signal from the completion detection unit 522 before the predetermined time elapses after receiving the trigger signal from the charging detection unit 521 and starting the reading of the article information, the reading unit 50 receives the completion signal. Finish reading the article information. Further, the reading unit 50 may finish reading the article information based on the completion signal, and is not limited to the configuration in which the reading of the article information is immediately terminated by receiving the completion signal, and is predetermined from the time when the completion signal is received. The reading of the article information may be finished when the waiting time of is elapsed.

That is, the reading unit 50 does not always read the article information, but when an event related to the operation of placing the article A1 in the reading space 10 occurs, such as the article A1 passing through the opening 11, the reading unit 50 reads. Reading of article information by 50 starts. Then, when it is detected that the storage of the article A1 in the reading space 10 is completed, such as when the article A1 reaches the bottom wall 31 of the housing body 3, the reading of the article information by the reading unit 50 is completed. As a result, the reading unit 50 performs wireless communication with the electronic tag A11 only during a required period, that is, a period during which the article A1 is accommodated in the reading space 10, and radio waves are transmitted even during an unnecessary period. Can be suppressed, and the power consumption of the reading unit 50 can be suppressed. Further, since the wireless communication with the electronic tag A11 is performed only for a necessary period, even if the reading unit 50 increases the output intensity (transmission intensity) of the radio wave used for the wireless communication, for example, outside the reading space 10. It is possible to suppress erroneous detection of article information from a certain electronic tag A11. As a result, the reading unit 50 can increase the output strength (transmission strength) of the radio waves used for wireless communication.

Further, when a predetermined time elapses after the reading unit 50 receives the trigger signal from the charging detection unit 521 and starts reading the article information and before receiving the completion signal from the completion detection unit 522, for example, the control unit 50. 51 outputs an error signal. In other words, if the accommodation of the article A1 in the reading space 10 is not completed within a predetermined time from the generation of the trigger signal, an error signal is generated. The error signal is output to, for example, the user interface 53. Upon receiving the error signal, the user interface 53 notifies, for example, that the article A1 is to be re-accommodated in the reading space 10, such as "Please reposition the article". As a result, if the article A1 does not reach the bottom wall 31 of the housing body 3, the customer C1 is notified.

The user interface 53 has a function of presenting various information to the customer C1 by display or voice on the reading device 1 and accepting an operation (including voice input) of the customer C1. In the present embodiment, the user interface 53 includes a display unit 531 and an operation unit 532. As an example, the display unit 531 and the operation unit 532 are integrated as a touch panel display. As an example, the user interface 53 is installed in the housing 31 so as to face the customer C1 side (front). The user interface 53 is not limited to display and voice, and may present information not only by the lighting state of the lamp (lighting, turning off, light color, blinking pattern, brightness, etc.), vibration using a vibrator, or the like.

(3) Operation Next, the operation of the reading device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 7.

The reading device 1 monitors the presence / absence of an event related to the operation of placing the article A1 in the reading space 10 by the detection unit 52 (input detection unit 521) (S1). The process S1 is repeatedly executed until an event related to the operation of placing the article A1 in the reading space 10 occurs (S1: No). Here, when the article A1 or a moving object such as a human hand passes through the opening 11, the detection unit 52 is related to the operation of inserting the article A1 into the reading space 10, that is, placing the article A1 in the reading space 10. It is determined that an event has occurred (S1: Yes).

When it is determined that the article A1 has been loaded (S1: Yes), the reading unit 50 starts reading the article information (S2). In the present embodiment, when the reading unit 50 starts reading the article information, it continuously outputs radio waves for wireless communication. During this time, the reading unit 50 continues reading the article information (S3).

Here, the reading device 1 monitors the completion of accommodating the article A1 in the reading space 10 by the detection unit 52 (completion detection unit 522) (S4). Until the accommodation of the article A1 in the reading space 10 is completed (S4: No), the process S3 is repeatedly executed to continue reading the article information. Here, when the article A1 reaches the bottom wall 31 of the accommodating body 3, the detection unit 52 determines that the accommodation of the article A1 in the reading space 10 is completed (S4: Yes). As a result, the reading unit 50 finishes reading the article information (S5). In the present embodiment, when the reading unit 50 finishes reading the article information, the reading unit 50 stops the output of the radio wave for wireless communication.

After that, the reading device 1 displays the article information read by the reading unit 50 on the display unit 531 of the user interface 53 (S6). At this time, the display unit 531 displays a list of the name (product name), amount, total amount (settlement amount), and the like of the item A1 corresponding to the item information, for example, based on the normally read item information. To. At this time, the confirmation button icon is displayed on the display unit 531 of the user interface 53 (S7). Then, the processes S6 to S7 are repeated until the confirmation button is pressed (S7: No).

After confirming that all the articles A1 to be purchased are included, the customer C1 who sees the display of the display unit 531 presses the confirmation button on the operation unit 532 of the user interface 53 (S7: Yes).

After that, the reading device 1 outputs the acquired article information to the payment system 4 (S8). As a result, a series of processes related to the acquisition of article information by the reading device 1 is completed.

(4) Modifications The above embodiment is only one of the various embodiments of the present disclosure. The above-described embodiment can be changed in various ways depending on the design and the like as long as the object of the present disclosure can be achieved. Further, the same function as that of the reading device 1 may be realized by a reading method, a (computer) program, a non-temporary recording medium on which the program is recorded, or the like. Further, the same function as the shopping support system 100 may be realized by a shopping support method, a (computer) program, a non-temporary recording medium on which the program is recorded, or the like.

The reading method according to one aspect is a reading method using the shield 2 and the accommodating body 3. The shield 2 has an opening 11, and the inner surface 20 is formed in a shape along a spheroid by a material that shields radio waves. The containment body 3 houses at least one article A1 that is at least partially housed inside the shield 2 and has the electronic tag A11 attached through the opening 11. The reading method includes a storage step and a reading step. The accommodating step is a step of accommodating the article A1 in the accommodating body 3 (see “S1” in FIG. 7). The reading step is a step of reading article information from the electronic tag A11 by wireless communication with the electronic tag A11 of the article A1 housed in the housing 3 (see “S2” to “S5” in FIG. 7).

(4.1) First Modified Example In the reading device 1 of the above-described embodiment, the inner surface 20 of the shield 2 has a shape along a spheroid, but the shield 2 has a first region B1 and a second region. If the structure has B2, the shape of the inner surface 20 of the shield 2 is not limited to this shape. Hereinafter, the reading device 1A according to the first modification of the above-described embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. This modification is different from the reading device 1 of the above-described embodiment in that the shield 2 has a configuration in which the first shield 21 and the second shield 22 are combined.

The first shield 21 has a rotating paraboloid 210 focused on the first focal point F11. The second shield 22 has a rotating paraboloid 220 with a second focal point F12 as the focal point. The first shield 21 and the second shield 22 are connected to each other with their openings facing each other. That is, in this modification, the inner surface 20 of the shield 2 includes a shape along two rotating paraboloids 210 and 220 facing each other.

In this modification, the reader 1A includes two antennas 6. One of the two antennas 6, the first antenna 61, is provided at the first focus F11 of the first shield 21, and the other second antenna 62 is provided at the second focus F12 of the second shield 22. The first antenna 61 is arranged so as to output radio waves to the rotating paraboloid 210. The second antenna 62 is arranged so as to output radio waves to the rotating paraboloid 220. Further, in this modification, the housing body 3 is fixed to the shielding body 2 so as to connect the upper end edge of the first shielding body 21 and the upper end edge of the second shielding body 22. The opening on the upper surface of the housing 3 corresponds to the opening 11 of the reading device 1A.

Here, an example of the distribution of radio waves output from each of the first antenna 61 and the second antenna 62 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 9, in order to make it easier to explain the distribution of radio waves, the first output point 610 and the second output point 620 that output radio waves are shown instead of the first antenna 61 and the second antenna 62. Then, in FIG. 9, the radio waves output from each of the first output point 610 and the second output point 620 are virtually represented by linear loci. Further, in FIG. 9, only the shield 2 and the housing 3 are shown, and the other configurations (antenna 6 and article A1) are omitted.

In this modification, the radio wave output from the first output point 610 (first antenna 61) is reflected by the rotating paraboloid 210 and is parallel to the straight line connecting the first focus F11 and the second focus F12. Follow the trajectory. Similarly, the radio wave output from the second output point 620 (second antenna 62) is reflected by the rotating paraboloid 220 to form a trajectory parallel to the straight line connecting the first focal point F11 and the second focal point F12. follow. Therefore, the radio waves output from each of the first antenna 61 and the second antenna 62 are not directed to the opening 11 and are distributed in a region below the opening 11. Therefore, in the present modification, as in the above-described embodiment, the shield 2 includes the first region B1 including the opening 11 and the second region B2 in which the article A1 housed in the housing body 3 can exist. Will have.

The radio waves output from the first output point 610 (first antenna 61) and the second output point 620 (second antenna 62) are mainly distributed in the second region B2. That is, the intensity of the radio waves output from the first antenna 61 and the second antenna 62 in the first region B1 is weaker than the intensity of the radio waves output from the first antenna 61 and the second antenna 62 in the second region B2. ing. Therefore, both the first antenna 61 and the second antenna 62 can perform wireless communication with the electronic tag A11 of the article A1 in the second region B2. Therefore, the reading device 1A can read the article information from the electronic tag A11 of the article A1 in the second region B2 (that is, the reading space 10). On the other hand, the first antenna 61 and the second antenna 62 both have the electronic tag A11 of the article A1 in the space further outside the first region B1 or the first region B1 (for example, the space outside the reader 1A). It is difficult to communicate wirelessly between them. Therefore, the reading device 1A can reduce erroneous acquisition of article information of the article A1 outside the reading device 1A.

(4.2) Second Modified Example In the first modified example, as shown in FIG. 10, the first antenna 61 and the second antenna 62 face each other with the accommodating body 3 interposed therebetween, but the first antenna 61 and The arrangement of the second antenna 62 is not limited to this embodiment. In FIG. 10, the radio waves output from each of the first antenna 61 and the second antenna 62 are virtually represented by linear loci.

Hereinafter, the reading device 1B according to the second modification of the above-described embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In this modification, the first antenna 61 and the second antenna 62 intersect in the direction in which the first antenna 61 and the housing 3 are lined up and the direction in which the second antenna 62 and the housing 3 are lined up (here, they are orthogonal to each other). ) Is different from the reading device 1A of the first modification.

In this modification, the shield 2 has a configuration in which a third shield 23 and a fourth shield 24 are further combined in addition to the first shield 21 and the second shield 22. The third shield 23 has a rotating paraboloid 230 focused on the third focal point F13. The fourth shield 24 has a rotating paraboloid 240 focused on the fourth focal point F14. Then, the third shield 23 and the fourth shield 24 are connected with their openings facing each other. That is, in this modification, the inner surface 20 of the shield 2 includes a shape along two rotating paraboloids 210, 220 (or 230, 240) facing each other. Further, in the third shield 23 and the fourth shield 24, the direction in which the first shield 21 and the second shield 22 are lined up and the third shield 23 and the fourth shield 24 are arranged with the accommodating body 3 interposed therebetween. They are arranged so that they intersect with each other.

In this modification, the first antenna 61 is provided at the fourth focal point F14 of the fourth shield 24, and the second antenna 62 is provided at the second focal point F12 of the second shield 22. The first antenna 61 is arranged so as to output radio waves to the rotating paraboloid 240. The second antenna 62 is arranged so as to output radio waves to the rotating paraboloid 220. Further, in the present modification, the upper end edge of the first shield 21, the upper end edge of the second shield 22, the upper end edge of the third shield 23, and the upper end edge of the fourth shield 24 are connected. The accommodating body 3 is fixed to the shielding body 2. The opening on the upper surface of the housing 3 corresponds to the opening 11 of the reading device 1B.

In this modification, the radio wave output from the first antenna 61 is reflected by the rotating paraboloids 230 and 240 to follow a trajectory parallel to the straight line connecting the third focal point F13 and the fourth focal point F14. Further, the radio wave output from the second antenna 62 is reflected by the rotating paraboloids 210 and 220 to follow a trajectory parallel to the straight line connecting the first focal point F11 and the second focal point F12. In FIG. 11, the radio waves output from each of the first antenna 61 and the second antenna 62 are virtually represented by linear loci.

Therefore, in the present modification, as in the first modification, the radio waves output from each of the first antenna 61 and the second antenna 62 are not directed to the opening 11 and are below the opening 11. It is distributed in the area of. Further, in this modification, the radio waves output from each of the first antenna 61 and the second antenna 62 intersect at the accommodating body 3. Therefore, in the present modification, there is an advantage that the article information can be easily read from the electronic tag A11 of the article A1 housed in the housing 3 as compared with the case where only the radio wave along one direction reaches the housing 3. There is.

(4.3) Other Modification Examples The other modifications of the above-described embodiment are listed below. The modifications described below can be applied in combination as appropriate.

The inner wall (inner surface) 20 of the shield 2 is not limited to the metal plate, and may have other modes. For example, the inner surface 20 of the shield 2 may be formed by applying a conductive material to a plate (hereinafter, referred to as “resin plate”) formed of a resin material. Further, the inner surface 20 of the shield 2 may be formed by forming a metal thin film on the surface of the resin plate by plating. Further, the inner surface 20 of the shield 2 may be formed by attaching a conductive film to a resin plate.

Further, the position of the opening 11 is not limited to the upper end of the shield 2, and may be at another position of the shield 2. That is, the opening 11 may be located in a region where the radio waves output from the antenna 6 are difficult to reach, that is, in the first region B1.

Further, the size of the opening 11 may be a size that allows at least one article A1 to be inserted. Here, as already described, the opening 11 is provided in the first region B1. Therefore, if it is desired to increase the opening 11, the first region B1 may be increased. Then, the farther the position of the antenna 6 is from the two focal points F1 and F2, the larger the first region B1 can be. Further, the smaller the angle formed by the direction in which radio waves are output from the antenna 6 (specific direction D1) and the short axis of the shield 2, the larger the first region B1 can be. However, there is a trade-off relationship between the size of the first region B1 and the size of the second region B2 (that is, the reading space 10).

Further, the shield 2 is not limited to a mode in which the opening 11 is located above, that is, vertically supported by the support base 7, and the long axis of the shield 2 is along the horizontal plane, that is, horizontally. The mode may be supported by the support base 7.

Further, the inner surface 20 of the shield 2 is not limited to a shape along a spheroid rotated 360 degrees about a straight line (that is, a long axis) connecting the two focal points F1 and F2. For example, the inner surface 20 of the shield 2 is a spheroid that passes through the center of a straight line connecting the two focal points F1 and F2 and is rotated 360 degrees about a straight line (that is, a short axis) orthogonal to this straight line. It may have a shape along the line.

Further, the shield 2 is not limited to the embodiment having one antenna 6, and a plurality of (here, two) antennas 6 are used as in the reading device 1A of the first modification and the reading device 1B of the second modification. It may be an aspect having. In this aspect, it is preferable not to output radio waves from a plurality of antennas 6 at the same time, but to output radio waves at intervals so that the radio wave output periods do not overlap.

The reading device 1 and the shopping support system 100 in the present disclosure include, for example, a computer system in a control unit 51, a payment system 4, and the like. The main configuration of a computer system is a processor and memory as hardware. When the processor executes the program recorded in the memory of the computer system, the functions of the reading device 1 and the shopping support system 100 in the present disclosure are realized. The program may be pre-recorded in the memory of the computer system, may be provided through a telecommunications line, and may be recorded on a non-temporary recording medium such as a memory card, optical disk, or hard disk drive that can be read by the computer system. May be provided. A processor in a computer system is composed of one or more electronic circuits including a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) or a large scale integrated circuit (LSI). The integrated circuit such as IC or LSI referred to here has a different name depending on the degree of integration, and includes an integrated circuit called a system LSI, VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration), or ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integration). Further, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) programmed after the LSI is manufactured, or a logical device capable of reconfiguring the junction relationship inside the LSI or reconfiguring the circuit partition inside the LSI should also be adopted as a processor. Can be done. A plurality of electronic circuits may be integrated on one chip, or may be distributed on a plurality of chips. The plurality of chips may be integrated in one device, or may be distributed in a plurality of devices. The computer system referred to here includes a microcontroller having one or more processors and one or more memories. Therefore, the microcontroller is also composed of one or more electronic circuits including a semiconductor integrated circuit or a large-scale integrated circuit.

Further, it is not an essential configuration for the reading device 1 or the shopping support system 100 that a plurality of functions in the reading device 1 or the shopping support system 100 are integrated in the shield 2. The components of the reading device 1 or the shopping support system 100 may be distributed in a plurality of housings. Further, at least a part of the functions of the reading device 1 or the shopping support system 100 may be realized by, for example, a server device and a cloud (cloud computing). On the contrary, in the above-described embodiment, at least a part of the functions of the reading device 1 or the shopping support system 100 distributed in a plurality of devices may be integrated in one housing.

Further, the use of the reading device 1 and the shopping support system 100 is not limited to the convenience store, and the shopping support system 100 may be installed in a store other than the convenience store.

The use of the reading device 1 is not limited to stores, and the reading device 1 may be installed in facilities other than stores, such as factories, warehouses, offices, distribution centers, and customs. In this case, for example, the reading device 1 is used for inventory management and inspection of the non-commodity article A1. As described above, it is not essential for the reading device 1 that the reading device 1 constitutes the shopping support system 100 together with the payment system 4.

Further, the electronic tag A11 is not limited to the passive type RF tag, and may be an active type RF tag. The reading unit 50 may read the article information by combining the means such as image recognition and the information read from the electronic tag A11.

Further, the shopping support system 100 is not limited to the mode in which the article A1 can be purchased without requiring the operation of the clerk as in the above-described embodiment. May be used in.

Further, the packing work for accommodating the article A1 in the container does not have to be performed by the clerk or the customer C1. For example, the article A1 may be displayed in the store in the state of being contained in the container, or may be packed in a bag. Packing may be performed automatically using a device or the like.

Further, the settlement process does not have to be performed at the store. For example, at the store, only the customer C1 who purchases the article A1 is specified, and the settlement process is executed after the fact by credit card payment or the like. Good. The identification of the customer C1 can be realized by, for example, communication with a mobile information terminal (smartphone or the like) possessed by the customer C1, biometric authentication (including face authentication), or the like.

Further, the shopping support system 100 may further include a writing device that writes writing information to the electronic tag A11 attached to the article A1. Specifically, the reading unit 50 composed of a reader / writer capable of reading and writing data (information) for the electronic tag A11 may also be used as the writing device. As an example, the writing device writes the cleared information indicating that the settlement process has been completed for the article A1 to which the electronic tag A11 is attached to the electronic tag A11. In this case, the gate device installed at the exit of the store determines whether or not the settled information is written in the electronic tag A11, and if the settled information is not written, the notification device notifies. It is possible.

Further, the payment system 4 does not have to be integrated with the reading device 1. For example, the payment system 4 may be installed separately from the reading device 1 in the store, or may be installed outside the store.

Further, the payment method in the payment system 4 is not limited to the method described above, and may be a method of making payment by cash, credit card, electronic money, membership card, point card, or the like.

Further, when the reading unit 50 starts reading the article information when the detection unit 52 determines that the article A1 has been inserted, the reading unit 50 continuously switches the radio wave frequency and continuously emits radio waves for wireless communication. It may be output.

Further, it is not an essential configuration in the reading device 1 that the reading unit 50 collectively reads the article information for the plurality of articles A1, and the reading unit 50 may be configured to read the article information one by one. ..

Further, the input detection unit 521 and the completion detection unit 522 are not limited to the light curtain, the area sensor, and the like. The input detection unit 521 measures, for example, the distance from the housing 31 to the customer C1, for example, an ultrasonic or radio wave type distance measuring sensor, or a piezoelectric sensor or an acceleration sensor installed on the floor around the housing 31. Etc. may be used. Further, the completion detection unit 522 detects that, for example, a weight sensor, an acceleration sensor, a camera, or the like installed in the reading space 10 has completed the placement of the shopping cart (accommodation body) 1 in the reading space 10. You may.

Further, the user interface 53 is not limited to the touch panel display, and for example, the display unit 531 and the operation unit 532 may be separate bodies, or the operation unit 532 may be a mechanical switch.

Further, in addition to the configuration of reading the article information from the electronic tag A11, the reading unit 50 uses, for example, a barcode or a two-dimensional code attached to the article A1, an image of the article A1, the weight of the article A1, or the like. , It may be configured to read article information.

(Summary)
As described above, the reading device (1) according to the first aspect includes a shield (2), an accommodating body (3), and an antenna (6). The shield (2) has an opening (11), and the inner surface (20) is formed in a shape along a spheroid by a material that shields radio waves. The containment body (3) houses at least one article (A1) that is at least partially housed inside the shield (2) and has an electronic tag (A11) attached through the opening (11). The antenna (6) is provided inside the shield (2), and the article information is transmitted from the electronic tag (A11) by wireless communication with the electronic tag (A11) of the article (A1) housed in the housing (3). Outputs radio waves to read.

According to this aspect, there is an advantage that it is possible to simplify the work of reading the article information.

In the reading device (1) according to the second aspect, in the first aspect, the inner surface (20) of the shield (2) is configured to reflect the radio waves output from the antenna (6).

According to this aspect, at least a part of the radio waves that have reached the inner surface (20) of the shield (2) can be returned to the housing (3) side, so that the radio waves are output from the antenna (6) in order to read the article information. There is an advantage that the radio waves generated can be effectively used.

In the reading device (1) according to the third aspect, in the second aspect, the inner surface (20) of the shield (2) is configured to multiple-reflect the radio waves output from the antenna (6). ..

According to this aspect, radio waves are multiplely reflected on the inner surface (20) of the shield (2), so that various electronic tags (A11) of the article (A1) housed in the container (3) are reflected. Radio waves can easily reach from an angle. As a result, according to this aspect, there is an advantage that the article information can be easily read from the electronic tag (A11).

In the reader (1) according to the fourth aspect, in any one of the first to third aspects, the antenna (6) has a directivity having a peak of the intensity of the output radio wave in a specific direction (D1). have. The antenna (6) is provided so that the opening (11) is not located in a specific direction (D1).

According to this aspect, there is an advantage that the radio wave output from the antenna (6) is unlikely to leak to the outside through the opening (11).

In the reading device (1) according to the fifth aspect, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, at least a part of the opening (11) is the shield (2) in the long axis direction. It is provided outside the two focal points (F1 and F2) of 2).

According to this aspect, there is an advantage that the radio wave output from the antenna (6) is unlikely to leak to the outside through the opening (11).

In the reading device (1) according to the sixth aspect, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the accommodating body (3) has at least a part of two focal points (F1, F2) of the shielding body (2). It is housed inside the shield (2) so as to be located inside.

According to this aspect, the radio wave output from the antenna (6) can easily reach the electronic tag (A11) of the article (A1) housed in the housing (3), and the article information can be obtained from the electronic tag (A11). It has the advantage of being easier to read.

In the reading device (1) according to the seventh aspect, in any one of the first to sixth aspects, the antenna (6) has a directivity having a peak of the intensity of the radio wave to be output in a specific direction (D1). have. The antenna (6) is provided at a position where radio waves are output inside the two focal points (F1 and F2) of the shield (2).

According to this aspect, there is an advantage that the radio wave output from the antenna (6) is unlikely to leak to the outside through the opening (11).

In the reading device (1) according to the eighth aspect, in any one of the first to seventh aspects, the antenna (6) emits radio waves at least from the time when the article (A1) is inserted into the opening (11). Output.

According to this aspect, there is an advantage that the article information can be easily read from the electronic tag (A11) as compared with the case where the article (A1) is arranged with respect to the housing (3) and then the radio wave is output. ..

The shopping support system (100) according to the ninth aspect includes a reading device (1) according to any one of the first to eighth aspects and a payment system (4). The payment system (4) performs payment processing for the article (A1) using the article information read by the reader (1).

According to this aspect, there is an advantage that it is possible to simplify the work of reading the article information.

The reading method according to the tenth aspect is a reading method using a shield (2) and an accommodating body (3). The shield (2) has an opening (11), and the inner surface (20) is formed in a shape along a spheroid by a material that shields radio waves. The containment body (3) houses at least one article (A1) that is at least partially housed inside the shield (2) and has an electronic tag (A11) attached through the opening (11). The reading method includes a storage step and a reading step. The accommodating step is a step of accommodating the article (A1) in the accommodating body (3). The reading step is a step of reading article information from the electronic tag (A11) by wireless communication with the electronic tag (A11) of the article (A1) housed in the container (3).

According to this aspect, there is an advantage that it is possible to simplify the work of reading the article information.

The reading device (1, 1A) according to the eleventh aspect includes a shield (2), an accommodating body (3), and an antenna (6). The shield (2) has an opening (11), and the inner surface (20) is made of a material that shields radio waves. The containment body (3) houses at least one article (A1) that is at least partially housed inside the shield (2) and has an electronic tag (A11) attached through the opening (11). The antenna (6) is provided inside the shield (2), and the article information is transmitted from the electronic tag (A11) by wireless communication with the electronic tag (A11) of the article (A1) housed in the housing (3). Outputs radio waves to read. The shield (2) has a first region (B1) including an opening (11) and a second region (B2) in which an article (A1) housed in the housing (3) can exist. ing. The intensity of the radio wave output from the antenna (6) in the first region (B1) is weaker than the intensity of the radio wave output from the antenna (6) in the second region (B2).

According to this aspect, there is an advantage that it is possible to simplify the work of reading the article information.

In the reading device (1) according to the twelfth aspect, in the eleventh aspect, the inner surface (20) of the shield (2) has a shape along a spheroid.

According to this aspect, there is an advantage that the radio wave output from the antenna (6) is unlikely to leak to the outside through the opening (11).

In the reader (1A) according to the thirteenth aspect, in the eleventh aspect, the inner surface (20) of the shield (2) is two rotating paraboloids (210, 220 (or 230, 240)) facing each other. ) Includes the shape.

According to this aspect, there is an advantage that the radio wave output from the antenna (6) is unlikely to leak to the outside through the opening (11).

The configurations according to the second to eighth aspects are not essential configurations for the reading device (1) and can be omitted as appropriate. Further, the configuration according to the twelfth or thirteenth aspect is not an essential configuration for the reading device (1,1A) and can be omitted as appropriate.

1,1A Reader 11 Opening 2 Shield 20 Inner surface 3 Container 4 Payment system 6 Antenna 100 Shopping support system 210, 220, 230, 240 Rotating paraboloid A1 Article A11 Electronic tag B1 1st area B2 2nd area D1 Specific direction F1, F2 focus

Claims (13)

A shield having an opening and having an inner surface formed in a shape along a spheroid by a material that shields radio waves.
An enclosure that accommodates at least one article that is at least partially contained within the shield and that is electronically tagged through the opening.
An antenna provided inside the shield and outputting radio waves for reading article information from the electronic tag by wireless communication with the electronic tag of the article housed in the container.
Reader. The inner surface of the shield is configured to reflect radio waves output from the antenna.
The reading device according to claim 1. The inner surface of the shield is configured to multiplely reflect radio waves output from the antenna.
The reading device according to claim 2. The antenna has directivity having a peak of the intensity of the output radio wave in a specific direction.
The antenna is provided so that the opening is not located in the particular direction.
The reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. At least a part of the opening is provided outside the two focal points of the shield in the longitudinal direction of the shield.
The reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The containment body is housed inside the shield so that at least a part thereof is located inside the two focal points of the shield.
The reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The antenna has directivity having a peak of the intensity of the output radio wave in a specific direction.
The antenna is provided at a position where radio waves are output inside the two focal points of the shield.
The reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The antenna outputs radio waves at least from the time when the article is inserted into the opening.
The reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.
A payment system that performs payment processing for the goods using the goods information read by the reading device is provided.
Shopping support system. A shield having an opening and having an inner surface formed in a shape along a spheroid by a material that shields radio waves.
A reading method using an accommodating body, at least a part of which is housed inside the shield and housed at least one article with an electronic tag attached through the opening.
A storage step of housing the article in the container, and
It has a reading step of reading article information from the electronic tag by wireless communication with the electronic tag of the article housed in the container.
Reading method. A shield having an opening and an inner surface made of a material that shields radio waves,
An enclosure that accommodates at least one article that is at least partially contained within the shield and that is electronically tagged through the opening.
An antenna provided inside the shield and outputting radio waves for reading article information from the electronic tag by wireless communication with the electronic tag of the article housed in the container is provided.
The shield has a first region including the opening and a second region in which the article housed in the container can exist.
The intensity of the radio wave output from the antenna in the first region is weaker than the intensity of the radio wave output from the antenna in the second region.
Reader. The inner surface of the shield has a shape along a spheroid.
11. The reading device according to claim 11. The inner surface of the shield comprises a shape along two rotating paraboloids facing each other.
11. The reading device according to claim 11.

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